ADD and Women in Women
Girls and women with ADHD come up with strategies to disguise their symptoms. One of them is creating an everyday routine and establishing phone reminders. They can also make use of bravado to shield themselves from social isolation.
However, their coping mechanisms could become unsustainable. adhd symptoms women could also develop comorbid conditions including mood disorders, anxiety and self-harming behaviors like cutting.
Hyperactive or Hypoactive
Women who suffer from ADHD tend to be inattentive, which makes it harder for them to remain focused on their work and more likely to forget things. They may also have trouble organizing their personal and professional lives, which can affect their performance at work. They may miss appointments, not pay their bills and may be susceptible to procrastination. They might have trouble in reading or with math. These issues can become more difficult before, during and after menopause.
Experts believe that women and girls are more adept at concealing their symptoms, making it difficult to identify ADHD. This may be because of gender stereotypes that view boys and men as more boisterous than girls and women, according to Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). These behaviors are often viewed as less socially acceptable, especially if they are impulsive or disorganized.
The good news is that it's possible for women suffering from ADHD to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. It is essential to select a provider that is well-versed in the disorder and how it affects women. There are a variety of treatment options, including cognitive behavior therapy, which helps patients identify negative thoughts and beliefs that cause them to engage in problematic behaviors; neurocognitive psychotherapy, which is a combination of CBT and other therapies that are designed to improve self-regulation and impulse control and dialectical behavior therapy, which helps individuals develop skills that help manage their emotions and improve their interpersonal interactions.
Women with ADHD also have a tendency to struggle with rejection sensitivity, an intense emotional response to real or perceived rejection that makes it difficult to keep relationships. This means that they are more likely to pursue romantic partners on a casual basis, engage in sexually risky behavior or have unplanned pregnancies.
In addition, women with ADHD may have trouble making friends and interacting naturally with others, especially if they have hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms. This can make it hard to make friends at work, school or other social settings. They may be unable to read body language and pick up social signals.
Impatient
Women with ADHD often struggle to wait for something or feel a urgent need to get moving. This can make it hard to complete tasks like cooking dinner, cleaning the house or paying the bills. Women may also have difficulty to stick to their social obligations or keep their commitments. They also have to deal with emotional outbursts as well as a lack of self-control.
When women are experiencing symptoms of ADHD It is essential to seek out help. Treatment can improve their lives and increase self-esteem and confidence. Through changes in lifestyle, medication and therapy it is possible to lessen or eliminate the symptoms.
A restful night's sleep can help to reduce ADHD symptoms. A routine for bedtime and a reduction in screen time at night and eating according to a schedule can all contribute to improved sleeping habits. Women with ADHD may benefit from a weighted quilt or soothing music to help them sleep.
Depression, although not a symptom of ADHD is quite common among women who suffer from the condition. It can be a result of the debilitating effects caused by untreated ADD or due to root causes like low self-esteem, poor work performance, and difficulties with relationships. Women suffering from ADD are usually low on self-esteem due to their inability to perform well as girls and women similar to them. They have difficulty socializing and being unable to detect social cues can also contribute to their feelings of self-worthlessness.
It can be harder for women to be diagnosed with ADD than men. This is because doctors frequently mistake the symptoms of ADD in women as symptoms that are more typical of bipolar disorder. This is especially relevant during pregnancy and puberty as well as during perimenopause or menopause, when hormones are changing.
Women also have the ability to conceal their symptoms more easily than boys or men. It can be difficult to cope with the demands of society and ADHD symptoms. This can lead stress, depression and anxiety. It could also be a factor in the development of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) which is prevalent in teenagers and young women with ADHD.
Impulsive
If you suffer from impulsive-type ADHD symptoms you're quick to make decisions without thinking. You aren't able to wait for your turn to speak during conversations, and you're more likely to interrupt or finish other people's sentences. It can also be difficult to judge appropriateness of your behavior in a social setting. These behaviors can impact your ability to keep the relationship or job you have and they can make it difficult to meet the expectations of family, friends and coworkers.
Women with impulsive type ADHD frequently have difficulty controlling their emotions which can cause more conflict in relationships and at work. They might feel that people are criticizing or disrespecting them due to their inability to concentrate or keep up. They might not be able to finish tasks at home or at work or even lose their wallet or keys. They could be prone to spending money on things that do not bring value or lose track of important dates and appointments.
Some women with ADHD may conceal their symptoms. This is especially relevant to their professional lives. They might have assistants, a secretary or cleaning services who help them deal with the disorder that can lead them to be late for deadlines, forget appointments or even pay bills. They might find it easier to cope with their impulsive-type ADHD symptoms when they're at home with their loved ones than in the workplace.
Gender bias is one reason why women with impulsive-type ADHD aren't diagnosed. Doctors and teachers tend to look for the hyperactive/impulsive symptoms that are more common in boys and men when making diagnoses, so they're more likely to overlook or dismiss a woman's symptoms as anxiety or mood-related rather than ADHD.
Depression, which is typically caused by or is co-exists with ADD, can also be a reason why a woman with an impulsive type of ADHD might not be diagnosed. Patients suffering from depression may have difficulty attempting to control the impulsive behaviors that are associated with ADD. It is also difficult to deal with depression when impulsive behavior is present. Those impulsive behaviors can also contribute to feelings of self-doubt, and a sense of worthlessness that women who suffer from ADD feel. This can be exacerbated by the lack of support from family members.
Depression
Women suffering from ADHD might experience symptoms that resemble depression. The symptoms may include feeling depressed and worthless and having trouble sleeping or concentrating, and being anxious. Doctors often combine the two conditions and treat them together. Depression and ADD can also impact your relationships. Inability to focus and pay attention can result in frustrations and miscommunications which can lead you to conflict. In work or school settings These issues can cause colleagues and coworkers to misinterpret your behavior as hostility, disinterest, or lack of commitment.
Depression and ADHD in women can be more difficult to diagnose than men because women are better at masking their symptoms. They change their behavior to comply with social norms and avoid being seen as fragile or emotionally unstable. In some instances they may resort to unhealthy methods to cope, such as excessive drinking and drug use especially during the adolescent years. This can also make it hard for them to recognize their ADHD is causing their issues and delay obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
The severity of symptoms can vary from one person to another, even within the same family. Some people have milder symptoms, which are known as high-functioning ADHD. Some have severe symptoms that affect their lives.
The good news is that there are treatment options available to adults suffering from ADHD that include cognitive behavioral therapy, neurocognitive psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. These therapies can improve self-regulation as well as control of impulses and also help you manage your emotions.
Additionally there are a myriad of medications that are used to treat ADHD in adults. Stimulants are typically prescribed, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine/amphetamine salts (Adderall), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Non-stimulants include atomoxetine, viloxazine, Clonidine, and Guanfacine. Your doctor will be able to provide more information about the advantages and risks of these drugs. Your doctor could also provide other suggestions to help you manage your symptoms. For instance, you could use a planner or notepad to record reminders, and taking notes during meetings to help you stay organized. You might also benefit from joining an women's ADHD support group.